A FINE GAEL TD has proposed new legislation that would make it a specific offence to ram a garda car where perpetrators could be jailed for up to 10 years.
Brendan Griffin introduced the Ramming of Garda Vehicles Bill in the Dáil earlier today, saying it was “shocking” that on average more than one garda car a week is being rammed by “scumbags”.
There were 244 instances of a Garda car being rammed between 2010 and 2013 which works out at around one per week, Griffin said.
“Many gardaí find that when they give chase to suspects, very often the suspects will not think twice about ramming a garda vehicle,” the Kerry South TD said.
Unfortunately, there have been cases in the past where gardaí have lost their lives or have been seriously injured in this manner.
His bill proposes a custodial sentence of up to ten years for the deliberate ramming of a garda vehicle being operated by a garda in the course of their duties.
“The scumbags who perpetrate this on members of An Garda Síochána should be left in no doubt as to the seriousness of their actions and the ramifications of such actions. The State needs to respond to this problem,” Griffin told the Dáíl today.
He said the legislation would act as a deterrent, particularly to the criminal gangs operating in parts of rural Ireland.
The introduction of the legislation comes in a week when Taoiseach Enda Kenny again told the Dáil that some gangs are using “night-vision goggles” and driving at high speeds in the countryside.
It also comes on the day that seven Dublin men were given lengthy jail sentences for carrying out an aggravated burglary on a Tipperary family two years ago.
Griffin said he hoped his legislation could be progressed as soon as possible or incorporated into future legislation related to An Garda Síochána.
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